[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6086-H6087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACKS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1538) condemning the July 11, 2010, terrorist
attacks in Kampala, Uganda, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1538
Whereas, on July 11, 2010, terrorists allegedly associated
with the Somalia-based al Shabaab terrorist organization
carried out multiple suicide attacks against civilian targets
in the city of Kampala, Uganda;
Whereas Nate ``Oteka'' Henn, a United States citizen and
committed volunteer of Invisible Children Inc., a nonprofit
organization based in San Diego, California, and at least 70
other civilians were killed in the attack;
Whereas al Shabaab was designated as a foreign terrorist
organization under section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act and as a specially designated global
terrorist under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 on
February 26, 2008;
Whereas the attacks for which al Shabaab has claimed
responsibility, were allegedly in retaliation for the
presence of Ugandan peacekeeping forces contributing to the
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM);
Whereas Uganda currently has 3,400 peacekeeping troops
deployed to Somalia in support of AMISOM and reportedly has
committed to deploying an additional 2,000 troops; and
Whereas it is in the interest of the United States and the
international community to support efforts in Somalia to
achieve lasting peace, democracy, rule of law, respect for
human rights, and to eradicate extremism and terrorism from
Somalia and the region: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Kampala,
Uganda, on July 11, 2010;
(2) encourages the Administration to help Ugandan and
Somali authorities bring those responsible for these attacks
to justice;
(3) expresses its condolences to the families of Nate
``Oteka'' Henn and all the victims of these attacks;
(4) strongly condemns al Shabaab's destabilizing role in
Somalia and the region;
(5) recognizes the contributions of Uganda's peacekeeping
efforts in Somalia; and
(6) calls on the Administration to work with the
international community to address the security threat
emanating from Somalia.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Nevada (Ms. Berkley) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.
General Leave
Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Nevada?
There was no objection.
Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
On July 11, 2010, bombs ripped through a crowd gathered in Kampala,
Uganda to watch the World Cup finals. The Somali terrorist group al-
Shabaab claimed responsibility for these cowardly attacks which killed
at least 70 innocent civilians. Among those was one American, Nate
``Oteka'' Henn, a committed volunteer with the San Diego-based NGO
Invisible Children. Dozens of others were injured in the blast,
including several members of a Pennsylvania church group. The
perpetrators of the attacks claim they were in retaliation for Uganda
sending peacekeeping troops to participate in the African Union Mission
in Somalia, or AMISOM.
Uganda currently has 3,400 troops deployed to Somalia in support of
AMISOM and has pledged to deploy an additional 2,000 troops.
Mr. Speaker, the United States and our allies must support efforts by
the Somali people and the African Union to achieve lasting peace, rule
of law, democracy, and respect for human rights in Somalia. We must
work together to eradicate extremism and terrorism from Somalia and the
entire region and to counter the destabilizing influence of radical
groups like al-Shabaab.
I would also like to thank my good friend from California (Mrs.
Davis) for introducing this important resolution. I urge all of my
colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, House Resolution
1538, which condemns the deadly suicide attacks that took place in
Kampala, Uganda on July 11, 2010.
In the past, some Members have questioned the accuracy of reported
links between al Qaeda and al-Shabaab insurgents. Some claim that it is
operationally focused solely upon Somalia and, thus, poses no tangible
threat to Americans, our allies, or our interests. Unfortunately, the
attacks that rocked Uganda on July 11, 2010 provided indisputable
evidence that those assumptions were dangerously wrong. Scores were
killed, including an American who worked with the advocacy group
Invisible Children.
This senseless act of violence should serve as a wake-up call to U.S.
officials on the need to vigorously address the threat of Islamist
extremism wherever it lurks, which extends far beyond the Middle East.
Many more lives are at stake.
The 1998 East Africa Embassy attacks exposed, and the July 11 Kampala
attacks affirmed, that the United States cannot afford to ignore the
activities of extremist groups in Africa as they attempt to expand
their influence to bolster their ranks and spread their dangerous
ideology. We must work vigilantly and cooperatively with other
responsible nations to disrupt the operations of extremist groups and
hold accountable their regional sponsors.
Over 18 months ago, Mr. Speaker, I introduced a resolution, H. Con.
Res. 16, which brings sorely needed attention to the threat of Islamist
extremism in Africa. It is alarming that even after these tragic
attacks I have not been able to get the majority to bring this
resolution to the floor.
I understand that Attorney General Holder is currently in Uganda
attending the African Union Summit, attempting to impress upon the AU
heads of state the imperative of confronting violent extremists on the
continent. He is highlighting many of the issues that I have been
attempting to address for 1\1/2\ years. Isn't it time for this body to
take this threat seriously?
So, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to consider H. Con. Res. 16
while supporting this important resolution before us, House Resolution
1538.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from California, an esteemed Member of Congress, Mrs. Susan
Davis.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
House Resolution 1538, and I want to thank Chairman Berman for bringing
my resolution to the floor.
As the world watched the World Cup finals on July 11, terrorists
launched suicide attacks against innocent men and women in the city of
Kampala, Uganda. At least 70 people tragically died in those blasts,
one of whom was a 25-year-old American, Nate ``Oteka'' Henn.
This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks in Kampala, recognizes
the important role Uganda plays in the African Union Mission in
Somalia, and sends a message to our allies that the United States
stands by our strategic partners. It also highlights the urgent need
for the United States to work with the international community to
address the root causes of extremism and terrorism in East Africa. And
finally, this resolution honors Nate ``Oteka'' Henn and all of the
victims of this tragedy.
Mr. Speaker, Nate was a committed volunteer for Invisible Children,
Inc., a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Diego. That
organization works to shed light on the grim reality that is faced by
many Ugandans, particularly the children who are abducted and forced to
become child soldiers there. Nate was a beloved and hardworking part of
this cause, whether at the helm of an Invisible Children van as a
member of the team of ``roadies'' or as an effective and heartfelt
fundraiser who helped send Ugandan students to school. From what I now
know of Nate's innate warmth, humor, and determination, it's no
surprise that he was given the name ``Oteka,'' which
[[Page H6087]]
means ``the strong one,'' by his Ugandan friends, a name he proudly
tattooed on his right arm.
Responsibility for the attack that killed Nate and the dozens of
other innocent men and women in Uganda has been claimed by the Somalia-
based al-Shabaab terrorist organization. Al-Shabaab has justified the
deadly violence on Uganda's 3,400-troop contribution to the African
Union Mission in Somalia. But al-Shabaab, which means ``the youth,''
also chose its targets to send a message to Somalis around the world, a
message designed to help tighten its control in Somalia and recruit
young men into its ranks, including young men from many of the
districts we represent.
{time} 1310
Nate Henn's life, on quite the other hand, and the work of groups
like Invisible Children send a far different message to the youth of
Africa, a message that is one of promise and hope rather than of war.
Today, Congress can help reinforce that message by showing that the
American people stand side by side with those who strive to make the
future brighter for Africa's youth while at the same time telling
groups like al-Shabaab that we will not ignore atrocities committed
against civilians or our allies.
I hope, Mr. Speaker, that all of my colleagues will support this
important resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1538, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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